Amy Hutson

My love for printmaking began whilst studying at the Glasgow school of art. Where I first encountered lithography and began collecting equipment to start a print shop.

My husband and I moved back to East Yorkshire in 2015, and I had the opportunity set up a studio in an old stable.

I then attended the summer workshop at the Tamarind institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2015. Studying at Tamarind opened my eyes to how I could work in lithography back in the UK, which created a new direction for my career, and so in August 2017 I returned to New Mexico to attend Tamarind’s one-year printer training program.

Tamarind was founded in the 1960's by June Wayne, as a means to "rescue" the dying art of lithography. The program only accepts eight people from around the world each year. It demanded 60-70 hours each week and consisted of studying every aspect of stone, aluminium, and photo plate lithograph. Including how to etch complex images, problem solve, curate, edition accurately, as well as learning how to collaborate with professional artists.

Since graduating, I have returned to the UK and my printshop. I have moved my business “Grain Studio” into new premises to allow space for a larger printing press, and educational workshops. I hope to make printmaking – specifically lithography – accessible in my part of East Yorkshire.

Why LithographY?

Lithography is a unique printmaking method. It involves a lot of problem solving, but the breadth of techniques and possibilities is larger than any other print media. I love how clean and delicate the surface of a freshly ground stone feels and the texture of tusche washes on the stone. The process is quite physical, it constantly reminds me to think of how i’m working, pushing me to be a better printmaker.